Her stomach dropped to her toes at his sly grin. He’d bought her a gift? Why would he have done that? From his triumphant expression, he was obviously pleased wit
h himself. Despite her lingering discomfort from Everly’s scandalous assumptions, Claire found herself smiling back at Linc with no clear understanding why.
“For me?” In her bewilderment, she sounded like a complete chowderhead.
“Your name is on the envelope, isn’t it?”
“It is?” Her pulse jerked in an erratic rhythm as she shifted her gaze to the small box and envelope.
He tapped the center of the paper where Claire was scrawled in Linc’s familiar handwriting. “It is.”
“I don’t understand.” The jewelry box felt heavy in her hand.
“You’ve been working for me for a year. I bought you something to celebrate your anniversary.”
“You didn’t have to do that.” But she was thrilled that he had and more than a little relieved that was all there was to it.
She’d enjoyed working for him this past year. His house had become her sanctuary and she’d do anything to protect that. Feeling safe was a luxury she hadn’t known since she’d become pregnant with Honey.
“I wanted to.” His deep voice resonated through her. “Why don’t you take a look at what I got you. I’ve been dying to see if you like it.”
Something in his tone made her skin flush hot.
“Of course I’ll like it.” Telling herself it was silly to feel so breathless over an anniversary token didn’t stop the flutters in her stomach. “You have wonderful taste.”
Linc was always doing something nice for the women in his life. His mother loved to collect cloisonné pillboxes, so he was always on the lookout for them. And whenever he visited her house, he never showed up empty-handed. It might be a bouquet of flowers, sugar-glazed pecans or a bottle of craft bourbon—Linc was always thinking of what Bettina might enjoy.
He’d been the same way with London. In her case, his purchases had been expensive pieces of jewelry or designer handbags. His sister liked gadgets, so whenever Linc ran across something new and innovative, he made sure Sawyer got one.
Conscious of Linc’s keen blue eyes on her, Claire started with the card. As she glanced at the cover, some of the tightness in her throat eased. He’d chosen something funny, a drawing of a dog wearing a big smile above the words Thank You. But when she flipped open the card and glanced at what he’d written, tears stung her eyes.
You’ve been a bright spot in my life for the last year. Thanks for all you’ve done. —Linc
“That’s so nice,” Claire croaked out, blinking rapidly to clear her vision. “Honey and I have really appreciated how kind and generous you’ve been. Not to mention patient.” She indicated the kitchen table, where her daughter was throwing herself back and forth in the chair and chanting to get down.
“It’s been great having you here.” He went over to lift Honey into his arms. “Both of you.”
Claire refused to give in to the warmth suffusing her at the sight of her daughter in Linc’s arms. It wasn’t an unusual occurrence. Linc always enjoyed Honey’s company. So why today was Claire overwhelmed by sentiment? Because that woman at the grocery store had drawn a startling connection between her and Linc? Or was it the notion Everly had put in Claire’s head that she was in a vulnerable position living and working in the same house as a man as attractive as her boss? Not that he would ever take advantage of her. But what if it wasn’t a matter of him taking advantage?
For the first time since Jasper had left for his final overseas tour, Claire confronted the ache building in her body. She’d been doing a decent job of focusing on Honey’s needs and ignoring her own—especially while Linc was engaged to London. He’d been completely off-limits while he’d belonged to another woman.
But now that Linc was single, parts of Claire felt reckless and uninhibited. She longed to wrap her arms around Linc’s neck and plant hot kisses on his sensual lips. To feel his strong hands slide over her heated flesh.
She gulped as her body was battered by cravings she suspected Linc could satisfy only too well. Damn it. She was falling for her boss. This would not do.
Three
Silence reigned in the gourmet kitchen as Linc freed the toddler from her booster seat and set her on her feet. Giggling, Honey clung to his leg for a couple seconds before racing into the sunroom, where her toys were kept.
When he turned back to Claire, he saw that she was staring at the contents of the jewelry box. Her slight frown worried him.
“You don’t like them?”
At his question, Claire took a couple breaths and seemed to gather herself. “It’s too much.”
Linc chuckled warmly. “I assure you it’s not nearly enough.”
“They’re beautiful.”